Padilla Finally Breaks Through in Super Nationals Mod Lite Big Dance
By Ben Deatherage BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 1, 2025) — The Stealth Racing IMCA STARS Mod Lites hosted the first Big Dance of the 2025 Speedway Motors IMCA Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s with a 30-lap feature at Boone Speedway, made up after rain washed out Sunday night’s program. Illinois’ Jon Padilla, a two-time Illinois State and Corn Belt Clash champion, finally broke through for his first career Super Nationals crown after finishing runner-up the last three years. Brandon Freeburg of Illinois led the opening circuits before cautions at laps eight and 14 slowed the pace. New York’s Joe Isabell pressured hard, while fellow contenders Dillon Raffurty — a two-time Super Nationals champion — and 2023 winner Ronnie Choate lurked close. Disaster struck on the lap-14 restart when all three were collected in a crash, reshuffling the order. On the next restart, Riley Clem and Austin Gray dueled fiercely for second, giving Freeburg room to check out up front. But Padilla used the final restart on lap 18 to surge into contention, then made his move with [Read More]
